Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-10
PASTORAL RESIGNATION.
Farewell Notice of Rev. DIR. Frost, OF the
First Baptist Church.

Farewell Notice of Rev. DIR. Frost, OF the
First Baptist Church.
At the close of the morning service OF the
First Baptist Church yesterday, Rev. DR..
Frost, the pastor, spoke as follows:
After mature elaboration and prayer,
hereby present my resignation as pastor Oh
this church.
1t has for some time been known to you
and to this community that my family
can live in this city but small portion OF
the year with safety to their health ana
happiness. This, together with other valid
reasons, has led me to sever the relation OF
pastor to this flock.
Many changes have come to this church
| and community during the seven years OF
our pastorate. Every evangelical church
in Sacramento, and nearly every Baptist
church in the State, has changed pastors
during the last seven years, and some OF
| the churches have changed several times.
The mutations in our church have been
most apparent TO US, and have made most
solemn impressions. When | came to you,
in 1880, you were incumbered with debt
of S., 900, and greatly depleted member
ship. That incumberance has been re-
moved, your membership increased and
your benevolent contributions greatly en-
larged. You have received, by baptism,
one hundred and sixteen; by letter, thirty
eight; by experience, fifteen; by restora-
ton, one making in all one hundred and
seventy accessions during these years.
But our losses have been very great. BY
letter, forty-one; exclusion, twenty-five !;
by dropping, thirty three; by death, twen-
ty-four; total, one hundred and twenty,
with net gain of fifty. Our removals by
letter and by death are sixty-fve, enough
to make strong church. When nearly
one-half of the members who were here
seven years ago have thus been taken from
us, it is easy to see how difficult is the task
of building up a large and influential
church in these interior towns where the
population is so fluctuating. With nearly
two hundred accessions in seven years and
yet net gain of only fifty, the work is slow
and disheartening. In no passionate OF my
life has SO many members been transferred
from the church militant to the church
triumphant. The death angel has engraved
on marble tablets twenty-four precious
names, or about one-sixth of the member
ship seven years ago. Seven prominent
members died in single year.
Standing thus to-day in the sacred pres
ence of the dead, who speak to US by their
vacant seats and their silent sepulchres, it
is solemn to reflect how often have been
called to visit your sick, and to bury your
loved ones. Twenty-four times in the last
seven years have we marched in mournful
procession to the silent city of the dead.
We have rejoiced with those who rejoice,
and have wept with those who weep. Our
hearts have been welded in the furnace of
affection
When l came to you seven years ago it
was in my heart to live and to die with
you. | prayed God it might be my longest,
last, and most successful pastorate. Often,
in yonder churchyard, have l visited the
very place where of all others ON earth l
desired to be buried Often have stood
upon that consecrated spot, hoping and
praying that l might have part in the first
resurrection, if the Lord delay his appear
ing. Fondly had hoped so to live among
you as to win your highest respect and
deepest affection, SO that standing around
my grave you could say:
Servant of God, well done;
Rest from thy loved employ;
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Master 5 joy.
The seven best years of my ministerial
life have been given to you.
1 have endeayored to know nothing
among you save Jesus Christ and Him
crucifed, and to unfold to you the rich and
inexhaustible treasures of the word of God.
For all your patience with my infirmities,
your sympathy in my distresses, your love
and confidence in my integrity, accept my
most sincere gratitude. have never loved
a church as l have loved you; my heart
was never so completely broken as on one
dark and lonely night, when l resolved to
break the ties that have so long bound us
together. And now go bound to another
field of labor, not knowing the things
that shall befall me there, save that the
Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying
bonds and affections abide me-
g But none of these things move me,
neither count l my life dear unto myself,
so that l might finish my course with joy.
and the ministry which have received of
the Lord Jesus to testify the Gospel of the
grace of God" Another shall stand in
this holy place another voice shall pro-
claim Gods word; other feet shall tread
these courts other hands shall lead you
into green pastures and beside still waters.
God grant be may be more richly endowed
with the Spirit, more mighty in the Scrip
lures, more Jealous in the work of Christ,
more successful in winning souls, and bet
ter adapted to the necessities and demands
of this church.
Ny future field of labor is entirely I'M
known to me. have thus far declined all
overtures from the East. Whether l remain
on this coast, or go hence, is known only
to the Master, whose | am, and whom |
serve.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things
are true, whatsoever things are honest what
soever things are just, whatsoever things
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any
praise, think on these things" Peace be
within thy walls, and prosperity within
thy palaces" Be at peace among your
selves" Dwell together in unity"
Finally, be We all of one mind, having
compassion one of another love as breth-
rem, be pitiful, be courteous, not rendering
evil for evil, or railing for railing, but con-
trarywise-blessing knowing that we are
thereunto called, that We should inherit
blessing"
Let love be without assimilation. Alb
hor that which is evil cleave to that which
is good. Be kindly affectioned one toward
another with brotherly love; in honor pre-
ferring one another"
Now the God of peace that brought
again from the dead our Lord Jesus that
great Shepherd of the sheep through the
blood of the everlasting covenant, make
you perfect in every good work TO do His
will, working in you that which is we'll
pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen"
According to custom, three months no
tice is given. This resignation will there
fore take effect on the LIST day of April. 1t
is final and irreyocable. Your will conse-
quently confer favor by unanimously
voting its acceptance.